According to him, the policy failed in the past because the managements of the institutions where such projects were to be executed, gave impossible conditions that drove away the investors.

The commissioner said that government had not enough money to embark on such important projects, hence the need to partner private developers to complement government’s efforts.

He urged the institution’s management to give maximum support to the would-be developers, adding that such projects would improve the quality of life of the students and staff when executed.

Muoboghare disclosed that in the interim, the ministry, would, from its funds, embark on minor rehabilitation of the water scheme in the polytechnic, pending the complete si e rehabilitation in future.

Chiemeke called on the state government to adequately fund the institution in order it to achieve the desired aim of establishing it.

She appealed for the state government’s approval to enable it to recruit more academic staff, purchase farm machinery and equipment and build more students’ hostels, among others.

She congratulated the commissioner on his appointment while describing him as a “round peg in a round hole.”

He said those schools that were not able to round-off their examination, would continue after resumption, adding that immediately examinations were concluded, the third term would commence and run through the weeks that students were supposed to go for their annual long vacation.

On the the issue of reopening schools, he said, it was not a one man or state affair because Cross River was not isolated from the other states.

“Ordinarily, we will have said schools should reopen in the state because we have no case of COVID-19, but that won’t be in tandem with the Federal Government’s policy on ground in relationship to COVID-19,” he said.

He however called on the students in the state to take advantage of the Ayade digital learning initiative and the school on radio to learn at home.

The minister said during the bi-weekly COVID-19 press briefing that the distribution of the free face-masks is part of the government’s broad measures to protect the students who will return to school this month for their final examinations.

The measures for reopening schools include school administrators keeping their premises clean by cleaning classrooms and grounds and spraying disinfectant around their facilities to reduce the risk of infections.

Administrative staff, teachers and students must wear face masks at all times at school, and parents must also wear masks while picking up their children.

The Lao government also allows normal transport of goods across international borders from Tuesday. Organizations of all forms of sport competitions with no spectators, night markets and cinemas are also permitted to reopen.

The Prime Minister’s Office said the easing of restrictions was temporary and that if further cases of COVID-19 were found, the rules would be reimposed in the province where the infection was detected. If clusters of infections occur in two or more provinces, the lockdown will be re-introduced nationwide.

Primary school students in Slovenia to gradually return to school

Slovenia further eased restriction measures imposed to contain the novel coronavirus epidemic on Monday. All primary school children will gradually return to their classrooms this week.

According to government announcement on May 28, large accommodation facilities, wellness and fitness centres and swimming pools have been given the green light to reopen on Monday. Public gatherings of up to 200 persons are now allowed.

After children in the first three grades of primary school returned to classrooms on May 18 and those in ninth grade last week, the remaining grades will return to school this week.

Distance learning will meanwhile continue for secondary school students, except for those in their final year, who returned to their classrooms on May 18.

Some social distancing rules will remain in place. People need to keep a safety distance of 1.5 metres or wear a face mask where this is not possible.

Slovenia reported no new COVID-19 cases in the last four days. To date, Slovenia has a total of 1,473 cases, with 109 deaths. Only five COVID-19 patients remain in hospital, including one in intensive care, according to the latest government data.

COVID-19: Students beg FG to reopen schools

A cross-section of students in Kwara have appealed to the Federal Government to reopen schools despite the ravaging COVID-19pandemic in the country.

The students, who spoke with the News Agency of Nigeria in separate interviews in Ilorin on Sunday, expressed their frustration for sitting home over a long period.

NAN reports that the federal government had in March announced the closure of schools, churches, mosques and events centres as well as banning social gathering as part of measures to curtail the spreading pandemic.

“Government should kindly help us open the schools as done for markets, banks and other offices.

“They should open schools for us for God sake,’’ he said.

Another student, Kazeem Kareem of Federal University (FUOYE), Oye-Ekiti also appealed to the government to reopen schools and ensure strict laws are put in place to enforce adherence to COVID -19 protocol.

“The government should collaborate with school management to ensure hash punishment for any students who violate the preventive measures put in place against the virus,’’ Kareem said.

Pelumi Oyedeji, a student of Kwara State Polytechnic, Ilorin said that there was no big deal for schools to be reopened since markets and banks were now operating.

“Even if lecture hours would reduce, the federal government should help us do something about our resumption on time,’’ he said.

On her part, Taofikat Usman of Kwara State University (KWASU), Malete told NAN that she was tired of staying idle at home.

“Home is too boring for me.

“Let us resume and start something important.

“The school cannot remain closed forever; please open it for us,’’ she said.

A secondary school student, Musilimat Bello said the online programme put in place when schools were closed, was not perfect.

Bello said she skipped lectures several times due to unstable power supply.

“Please let us go back to school and receive lectures.

“The online lecturing is not the best at this moment, it is not ideal for most of us.

Apart from erratic power supply, she also sited poor internet network as a hindrance to online lecturing.

China urges U.S. to stop using excuses to restrict, suppress Chinese students

China on Friday urged the U.S. government to stop using excuses to restrict and suppress Chinese students studying in the United States.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Zhao Lijian made the remarks as the U.S. administration reportedly plans to cancel the visas of thousands of Chinese students.

Zhao told a press briefing that the U.S. leadership has said that the American people respect and love the Chinese people very much and that Chinese students are of great significance to the U.S. educational business.

In the field of the two countries’ cultural and people-to-people exchanges, the U.S. side has committed a series of negative and wrong words and deeds, which completely go against its self-proclaimed values of “openness and freedom,” the public opinion of the two peoples, and the trend of times in international talent exchanges, Zhao said.

This has gravely impacted the normal cultural and personnel exchanges between the two countries, jeopardized the social foundation for bilateral ties, and exposed the deep-rooted Cold War mentality and zero-sum game mindset of some American people, the spokesperson stressed.

“People cannot help but ask whether the notorious McCarthyism in American history is returning,” Zhao said.

If the United States would take measures harming Chinese students’ lawful rights and interests, it would be nothing but political persecution and racial discrimination, and severe violation of the Chinese students’ human rights, Zhao said.

He urged the U.S. side to abide by the relevant commitments of its leadership and immediately stop using all sorts of excuses to wantonly restrict and repress Chinese students in the United States.

“We support Chinese students’ efforts in safeguarding their lawful rights and interests in accordance with law,” Zhao said. ■